Whatever your reason for wanting to update your decor, wait for a moment before reaching for the tin of paint stripper on the shelf!

TGH has a whole host of natural alternatives to removing paint, from various surfaces and even your skin. There is bound to be an option to suit you in the list below, so you don’t need to worry about exposing yourself and your family to harmful substances such as Methylene Chloride, which is one of the most common ingredients in standard paint strippers. This has been linked to cancer, and is the reason for lightheadedness, chemical burns and all of the big nasty warning labels on the bottle.

Before we head into the recipes though, please remember that these natural alternatives do still come with some hazards. In order to remove the paint they have to be corrosive to some degree, so always wear gloves. Work in a well ventilated space and understand what kind of paint you are dealing with. Lead based paints for example need to be handled with care.

When you choose one of the options below, be sure to try it out on a small, discreet area before you get going, to make sure that there is no damage caused to the surface you are stripping.

The final point before we get stuck in, is to dispose of your discarded paint properly. You should get in touch with your local municipality to find out how.

Eco-Off The Shelf Options

1. Citrus Based

There are citrus based eco-paint strippers available to buy, which are effective at removing paint. They are also biodegradable and give off low emissions. They also leave behind a pleasant orange scent.

2. Soy Gel

Soy gel is another non toxic choice, which gives off low emissions. It can be left on the paint for hours to penetrate without evaporating, and it doesn’t drip. Soy gel is also biodegradable, which makes it a clever environmentally friendly choice.

3. Professional Sand-blasting

You can hire a professional to come and sand-blast your paint off, if the area is large enough!